Bill would expand California smoking ban at work

SACRAMENTO, Calif. 
California lawmakers are looking to expand the state's workplace smoking ban, adding hotel lobbies, break rooms and even tobacco stores to the list of places where you can't light up.

A 1994 state law was among the most restrictive smoking measures in the nation at the time. Since then, 25 states have passed stronger laws intended to protect workers from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Supporters of SB575 by Democratic state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier of Concord say the legislation will close loopholes that expose as many as one in every seven workers to tobacco smoke.

The bill, which will be heard in committee this week, also applies the ban to warehouses. It does not apply to private residences unless they house a day care.